Credit cards were rare until the 1970s or so. And people didn't buy and flip houses, etc., etc. - debt was a big deal.
Families didn't need to go deeply into debt to have a middle-class lifestyle either. One wage earner could (and did) support a family. College education was free or inexpensive. Housing wasn't 50% of income, etc., etc.
Different times - not a moral failing.
Cheers,
Scott.